Selectable Bonus System And Method

ABSTRACT

A selectable bonus system and method are disclosed. A gaming machine system includes a gaming machine with a game containing a set of possible options, including a subset of options selectable by a player upon a triggering event. A bonus game is operated in accordance with the selected option.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority from provisional application 60/716,039filed on Sep. 10, 2005, hereby incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to gaming systems and methods and,more particularly, to a system and method that provides a selectablebonus.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In the prior art, various types of gaming machines have been developedwith different features to captivate and maintain player interest. Forexample, gaming machines may include flashing displays, lighteddisplays, or sound effects to capture a player's interest in a gamingdevice. In general, a gaming machine allows a player to play a game inexchange for a wager. Depending on the outcome of the game, the playermay be entitled to an award which is paid to the player by the gamingmachine, normally in the form of currency or game credits. Gamingmachines are often connected together to create a gaming system.

Another important feature of maintaining player interest in a gamingmachine includes providing the player with many opportunities to winawards, such as cash or prizes. For example, in some slot machines, thedisplay windows show more than one adjacent symbol on each reel, therebyallowing for multiple-line betting. Other types of slot machines havebeen developed that offer second-chance or bonus games that provideplayers with additional opportunities to win, such as with additionalfree spins. Some gaming machines offer a player the opportunity to winmillions of dollars by providing progressive jackpots; while some gamingmachines include bonus games that are used to entice and enhance playerexcitement. For instance, bonus features of various types have beenemployed to reward players above the amounts normally awarded on astandard game pay schedule. Generally, such bonus features are triggeredby predetermined events such as one or more appearances of certaincombinations of indicia in the “base game”. In order to stimulateinterest, bonus awards are typically set to occur at a gaming machine ona statistical cycle based upon the number of base game plays.

While systems including bonus games have been very successful, thereremains a need for systems with games that provide a player withenhanced excitement and increased opportunity of winning.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a networkedgaming system includes a plurality of gaming machines connected througha network to a host computer. At least one of the gaming machinesincludes a game with an interface activatable by a player. At least oneof a set of possible outcomes is determined after activation of theinterface by the player, the set of possible outcomes including awinning subset of outcomes. Upon a triggering event, a set of possibleoptions, including a subset of options selectable by the player ispresented. The player selects an option from the subset of options and abonus game is operated in accordance with the selected option.

A method of operating a networked gaming system includes the steps of:connecting a plurality of games and, for one of the plurality of games,selecting one of a set of possible outcomes, the set of possibleoutcomes including a winning subset of outcomes. The method furtherincludes the steps, upon a triggering event, of presenting a pluralityof options to a player of the one game, accepting an option chosen bythe player from the plurality of options and operating a bonus game inaccordance with the accepted option.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings incorporated in and forming a part of thespecification, illustrate several aspects of the present invention, andtogether with the description serve to explain the principles of theinvention. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a gaming machine in accordance with oneaspect of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the physical and logical components of thegaming machine of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a display image associated with a game of one embodiment ofthe invention.

FIG. 4 is a display image of a multi-page pay table for a game inaccordance with one aspect of the invention.

FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 are display images of a game awarding bonus games inaccordance with one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 7 is a functional block diagram depicting the steps associated withcarrying out a method in accordance of one aspect of the invention.

FIG. 8 is a schematic block diagram showing the hardware elements of anetworked gaming system in accordance with one aspect of the presentinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, FIG. 1illustrates a gaming machine 100 including cabinet housing 120, basegame display 140, player-activated buttons 160, player tracking panel136, bill/voucher acceptor 180 and one or more speakers 190. Cabinethousing 120 is a self-standing unit that is generally rectangular inshape and may be manufactured with reinforced steel or other rigidmaterials which are resistant to tampering and vandalism. Cabinethousing 120 houses a processor, circuitry, and software (not shown) forreceiving signals from the player-activated buttons 160, operating thegames, and transmitting signals to the respective displays and speakers.Any shaped cabinet may be implemented with any embodiment of gamingmachine 100 so long as it provides access to a player for playing agame. For example, cabinet 120 may comprise a slant-top, bar-top, ortable-top style cabinet. The operation of gaming machine 100 isdescribed more fully below.

The plurality of player-activated buttons 160 may be used for variousfunctions such as, but not limited to, selecting a wager denomination,selecting a game to be played, selecting a wager amount per game,initiating a game, or cashing out money from gaming machine 100. Buttons160 function as input mechanisms and may include mechanical buttons,electromechanical buttons or touch screen buttons. Optionally, a handle(not shown) may be rotated by a player to initiate a game.

In other embodiments, buttons 160 may be replaced with various otherinput mechanisms known in the art such as, but not limited to, a touchscreen system, touch pad, track ball, mouse, switches, toggle switches,or other input means used to accept player input. For example, one inputmeans is a universal button module as disclosed in U.S. application Ser.No. 11/106,212, entitled “Universal Button Module,” filed on Apr. 14,2005, which is hereby incorporated by reference. Generally, theuniversal button module provides a dynamic button system adaptable foruse with various games and capable of adjusting to gaming systems havingfrequent game changes. More particularly, the universal button modulemay be used in connection with playing a game on a gaming machine andmay be used for such functions as selecting the number of pay lines toplay in a game and the number of credits to bet per line.

Cabinet housing 120 may optionally include top box 150 which contains“top glass” 152 comprising advertising or payout information related tothe game or games available on gaming machine 100. Player tracking panel136 includes player tracking card reader 134 and player tracking display132. Voucher printer 130 may be integrated into player tracking panel136 or installed elsewhere in cabinet housing 120 or top box 150.

Game display 140 presents a game of chance wherein a player receives oneor more outcomes from a set of potential outcomes. For example, one gameof chance is a video slot machine game, an example of which is entitledGifts From the Gods. The Gifts From the Gods game features a basic slotmachine game with five simulated spinning reels and is further describedbelow. In other aspects of the invention, gaming machine 100 may presenta mechanical reel slot machine, a video poker game, a video keno game, alottery game, a bingo game, a Class II bingo game, a roulette game, acraps game, a blackjack game, a mechanical or video representation of awheel game or the like. In alternative embodiments, it may further beappreciated that games of skill or games of chance involving some playerskill may be implemented with gaming machine 100.

In other aspects of the invention, gaming machine 100 may present amechanical reel slot machine, a video poker game, a video keno game, alottery game, a bingo game, a Class II bingo game, a roulette game, acraps game, a blackjack game, a mechanical or video representation of awheel game or the like. In alternative embodiments, it may further beappreciated that games of skill or games of chance involving some playerskill may be implemented with gaming machine 100.

Mechanical or video/mechanical embodiments may include game displayssuch as mechanical reels, wheels, or dice as required to present thegame to the player. In video/mechanical or pure video embodiments, gamedisplay 140 is, typically, a CRT or a flat-panel display in the form of,but not limited to, liquid crystal, plasma, electroluminescent, vacuumfluorescent, field emission, or any other type of panel display known ordeveloped in the art. Game display 140 may be mounted in either a“portrait” or “landscape” orientation and be of standard or “widescreen”dimensions (i.e., a ratio of one dimension to another of at least 16×9).For example, a widescreen display may be 32 inches wide by 18 inchestall. A widescreen display in a “portrait” orientation may be 32 inchestall by 18 inches wide. Additionally, game display 140 preferablyincludes a touch screen or touch glass system (not shown) and presentsplayer interfaces such as, but not limited to, credit meter 144, winmeter 142 and touch screen buttons 146. An example of a touch glasssystem is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,942,571, entitled “Gaming Devicewith Direction and Speed Control of Mechanical Reels Using TouchScreen,” which is hereby incorporated by reference.

Game display 140 may also present information such as, but not limitedto, player information, advertisements and casino promotions, graphicdisplays, news and sports updates, or even offer an alternate game. Thisinformation may be generated through a host computer networked withgaming machine 100 on its own initiative or it may be obtained byrequest of the player using either one or more of the plurality ofplayer-activated buttons 160; the game display itself, if game display140 comprises a touch screen or similar technology; buttons mountedabout game display 140 (not shown) which may permit selections such asthose found on an ATM machine, where legends on the screen areassociated with respective selecting buttons; or any player input devicethat offers the required functionality.

Cabinet housing 120 incorporates a single game display 140. However, inalternate embodiments, cabinet housing 120 or top box 150 may house oneor more additional displays or components (not shown) used for variouspurposes including additional game play screens, animated “top glass,”progressive meters or mechanical or electromechanical devices such as,but not limited to, wheels, pointers or reels. The additional displaysmay or may not include a touch screen or touch glass system.

In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is ablock diagram showing the interconnection of physical and logicalcomponents 200 of gaming machine 100. Currency acceptor 210 is typicallyconnected to central processing unit (“CPU”) 205 by a serial connectionsuch as RS-232 or USB. CPU 205 executes game program 220 that causesvideo display screen 230 to display a game that includes a plurality ofsimulated indicia-bearing reels 270. In one embodiment, game program 220is a game such as Gifts from the Gods, described further below.

When a player has inserted a form of currency such as, for example andwithout limitation, paper currency, coins or tokens, cashless tickets orvouchers, electronic funds transfers or the like into currency acceptor210, a signal is sent to CPU 205 which, in turn, assigns an appropriatenumber of credits for play. The player may further control the operationof gaming machine 100, for example, to select the number of pay lines toplay and the amount to wager via electromechanical or touchscreenbuttons 250. The game starts in response to the player pulling a leveror pushing one of buttons 250, the detection of which causes CPU 205 tospin reels 270 displayed on video display screen 230. Random numbergenerator 240 responds to instructions from CPU 205 to provide arandomly selected stop position for each reel. CPU 205 then stops thereels according to the predetermined stop positions to display aplurality of reel indicia on video display screen 230. The set ofpossible outcomes includes a subset of outcomes related to thetriggering of play of free games. In the event the displayed outcome isa member of this subset, CPU 205 under control of game program 220,causes reels 270 to spin one or more additional times as will bedescribed further below.

In various embodiments of gaming machine 100, game program 220 is storedin a memory device (not shown). By way of example, but not bylimitation, such memory devices include external memory devices, harddrives, CD-ROMs, DVDs, and flash memory cards. In an alternativeembodiment, the game programs are stored in a remote storage device. Inone embodiment, the remote storage device is housed in a remote server.The gaming machine may access the remote storage device via a networkconnection, including but not limited to, a local area networkconnection, a TCP/IP connection, a wireless connection, or any othermeans for operatively networking components together. Optionally, otherdata including graphics, sound files and other media data for use withgaming machine 100 are stored in the same or a separate memory device(not shown).

Predetermined payout amounts for certain combinations of reel indicia,including bonus game outcomes, are stored as part of game program 220.Such payout amounts are, in response to instructions from CPU 205,provided to the player in the form of coins, credits or currency viapayout mechanism 260, which may be one or more of a credit meter, a coinhopper, a voucher printer, an electronic funds transfer protocol or anyother payout means known or developed in the art.

Turning now to FIG. 3, in accordance with one aspect of the invention,the Gifts from the Gods base game is implemented on video display 300using five simulated spinning reels 301-305. Each of 20 pay linepatterns (not shown) passes through one indicium on each of the fivereels 301-305. The number of pay lines and their patterns are by way ofexample only and may vary. The player selects the number of played paylines and the number of credits or coins wagered on each line usingtouch screen controls 320 or gaming device control buttons 160 (FIG. 1).The player may also collect the balance of his credits by pressing CASHOUT button 340.

Credit meter 315 display the player's current credit balance, whileother meters 316 may display, for example, the number of credits orcoins wagered and the last amount paid by the payout mechanism 260 (FIG.2). Other meters 316 containing other information may be displayed. Theamount wagered on each pay line may additionally be indicated in a bettag 310 corresponding to each pay line.

The player initiates game play by pressing SPIN button 330. In someembodiments, the player may simultaneously select all pay lines at themaximum number of coins or credits allowed per line by pressing a MAXBET touch screen button 335. Corresponding buttons 160 on gaming machine100 (FIG. 1) may be used instead of the touch screen buttons to performthe actions described here without deviating from the scope of theinvention. A video representation of reels 301-305 is made to spin andstop in their predetermined stop positions and then indicate whether thestop positions of the reels resulted in a winning game outcome.

Winning outcomes may be indicated on a pay table. In accordance with oneembodiment, part of a pay table 400 is shown in FIG. 4. The pay tablemay be accessible through a PAYS “help” button 325. In alternateembodiments, the pay table may be presented on a second video or printeddisplay attached to the gaming device (i.e. “pay glass” 152, FIG. 1). Awinning combination, for example, could be three or more ZEUS symbolsadjacent to one another on an active pay line. For each winningcombination, the game device awards the player the award in the paytable, adjusted as necessary based on the number of credits wagered onthe pay line on which the win occurred. Some video representations ofpay tables may factor in the amount of the player's wager and noadditional award adjustment is required.

In various embodiments, winning combinations may be evaluated acrossadjacent reels from left-to-right, from right-to-left or both.Additional winning combinations may be awarded when certain indicia donot necessarily accumulate adjacently on a pay line, but rather, appearanywhere on the reels (i.e., “scatter pays”). In addition, “wild”indicia may be used to complete winning combinations. Some “wild”indicia may also cause completed winning combinations to be result inpay amounts in excess of the normal winning combination by way ofmultiplication or addition, for example, a wild doubler symbol may beused.

The free game bonus feature is triggered by three or more symbols in anyposition (scattered) on adjacent reels. As shown in description 410 onFIG. 4, the triggering symbols on the reels create choices from whichthe player is asked to pick. The set of choices are displayed at randomdepending on how many triggering symbols appear. For example, the freegame bonus may be triggered by 3, 4, or 5 scattered symbols.

The player is shown free spin/multiplier combinations and asked tochoose the combination he wishes to play for the free game bonusfeature. The following is an example, not intended to be limiting in anyway, of the options that might be shown to the player: 20 free games@1×pay; 10 free games@ 2× pay; 4 free games@ 6× pay; 3 free games@ 8× pay;or 2 free games@ 12× pay. In one embodiment, the player is allowed tosee the prize pool from which his free games will award prizes and pickthe pool he prefers. For example, each prize pool might includeprogressive awards of varying amounts.

In one embodiment, the number of free games and multipliers offered tothe player are chosen using a weighted method. In the example in Table 1below, the various choices presented have an equal probability of beingselected. In other embodiments, the weights for each choice may not beequal, for example, two free spins with a multiplier of twelve may havea probability of selection of 15% while three free spins with amultiplier of eight may have a probability of 25%. TABLE 1 Free Spinswith 3, 4, or 5 trigger symbols Free Free Spin Multiplier SpinsMultiplier PROB CONTRIBUTION Contribution 2 12 20.0000% 0.40 2.4 3 820.0000% 0.60 1.6 4 6 20.0000% 0.80 1.2 10 2 20.0000% 2.00 0.4 20 120.0000% 4.00 0.2 TOTAL 100.00% 7.80 5.8Average Spins: 7.80Average Multiplier: 5.8

In some embodiments, each player option may not pay out equally well.For example, the matrix in Table 2 shows the average number of creditsand the payback contribution to the game based on different playerchoices. In this case, choosing 4 free spins would provide the bestaverage payback. In other embodiments, the average payback per playerselection may equal. TABLE 2 Free Spin Calculation: 2 spins 3 spins 4spins 10 spins 20 spins number of trigger combos 3,357,126 3,357,1263,357,126 3,357,126 3,357,126 bonus trigger probability 0.0078790.007879 0.007879 0.007879 0.007879 bonus type frequency 1.0000001.000000 1.000000 1.000000 1.000000 bonus games awarded 2.00 3.00 4.0010.00 20.00 bonus games expected 0.016010 0.024209 0.032542 0.0855290.187056 expected number of spins 2.0320 3.0726 4.1302 10.8553 23.7411cost of bonus games 0 0 0 0 0 bonus payback contribution 13.8731%13.9914% 14.1116% 12.4081% 13.6424% average bonus pay per 17.60771117.757877 17.910486 15.748403 17.314928 credit bet avg. bonus pay percredit 17.623735 17.782107 17.943056 15.834005 17.502144 bet (max)

The reels used in the free games may contain the same symbols andweighted mapping as the base game reels or may contain different symbolsand/or mapping as the base game reels.

It will be apparent that various base game outcomes can be utilized totrigger the play of free bonus games, including, but not limited to,awarding bonus play when certain symbols appear on a pay line, whencertain symbols are scattered, when no symbols of a certain type appear,when a certain winning combination occurs or, regardless of the visiblesymbols, at random or fixed intervals. In another embodiment, thefeature could be triggered by a morphing symbol, for example, anordinary symbol that changes into a triggering symbol.

In other embodiments, free games that do not use reels may be awarded.For example and without limitation, free games that present cards, rolldice, spin wheels, or offer a “second screen” bonus may be awarded,either on the primary game display or on a separate display or device,for example on a video display or mechanical wheel. Multipliers may ormay not be applied to pays during free games. Free games may includescatter pays or be implemented on reels which are separate from the basegame.

The player may press a “start” button at the beginning of each freegame, or the games may proceed automatically. In Gifts From the Gods,the reels are spun automatically and stopped, then evaluated for anywinning combinations. If winning combinations are present, thecombinations are evaluated against a pay table and awarded to the playeron a bonus win meter. In another embodiment, bonus wins are paidimmediately following each free game. Following each free game, thenumber of free games remaining on a counter is decremented. When thecounter reaches zero, free game play is terminated and the player isawarded any win accumulated on the bonus win meter through a payoutdevice, by transference to a credit meter or by any other method knownor developed in the art for awarding a player a prize.

In another embodiment, a free games counter may be initialized to zero.Each time a free game is played, the free games expended counter isincremented. When the counter reaches the number of pre-awarded freegames, free game play is terminated and the player is awarded anyaccumulated win as described above.

The number of free games remaining or expended can be displayed in anyfashion including, but not limited to, a numerical meter, a graphicalmeter or both.

In accordance with one aspect of the invention, FIGS. 5 and 6 provide anexample of free game play. Referring to FIG. 5, five “free spinselection” symbols 510, 520, 530, 540 and 550 appear on the reels,triggering free game play selection. Free spin selection 510 offers theplayer 10 free spins at 2× pay, free spin selection 520 offers theplayer 4 free spins at 6× pay, free spin selection 530 offers the player2 free spins at 12× pay, free spin selection 540 offers the player 3free spins at 8× pay and free spin selection 550 offers the player 20free spins at 1× pay. Prompt 560 instructs the player to select one ofthe presented options by pressing the touchscreen at one of the fivespin selection symbols 510-550. In alternate embodiments, a button orother input device associated with each of the choices is provided. Forexample, buttons 160 (FIG. 1) may be used by the player to select anoption.

Turning to FIG. 6, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention,the number of free games remaining to the player is displayed in theREMAINING FREE SPINS meter 610. Any awards won during the free games aretabulated in BONUS WIN meter 620. In this example, the free game reelsspin in the traditional vertical manner, up, down, or bi-directionally.In other embodiments, the free game reels may spin horizontally. Oneexample of bi-directional reel spins is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.5,251,898, entitled “Gaming Apparatus with Bi-directional Reels” whichis hereby incorporated by reference.

A logical flow diagram generally depicting the steps associated with amethod 700 for carrying out a selectable bonus game in accordance withone aspect of the invention is presented in FIG. 7. The order of actionsas shown in FIG. 7 and described below is only illustrative, and shouldnot be considered limiting. For example, the order of the actions may bechanged, additional steps may be added or some steps may be removedwithout deviating from the spirit of the invention.

First, the base game is initiated on gaming device 100 of FIG. 1 atblock 705. For example in a slot primary game, the player initiates playof the slot reels by inserting currency of some form, selecting thenumber of lines to play, the number of credits per line and presses astart switch or button. The reels are spun and the player may be awardeda base game award by the game or the game may trigger one or more freebonus games, block 710.

Next at decision block 720, regardless of win or loss in block 710, itis determined whether any free game bonus trigger combinations appear onthe reels on the reels. If no triggering combination appears on thereels, processing returns to block 705 and normal play continues ongaming device 100 (FIG. 1), otherwise processing proceeds to block 730.

The player is asked to select his preferred combination of number offree games and multiplier factor at block 730 and the free game counteris initialized. In block 740, a free bonus game is presented and anyresulting wins are paid, either immediately or to a win meter.

The free game counter is decremented at block 750 and then examined indecision block 760. If the number of free games remaining is not zero,free game processing continues at block 740, otherwise any credits onthe bonus win meter are transferred to the game credit meter orotherwise paid at block 770 and normal game play resumes at block 705.

Referring to FIG. 8, in accordance with one aspect of the invention,gaming system 800 includes server 810, gaming machines 850, and network840 connecting gaming machines 850 to server 810. Additionally, gamingdisplay computer 830 is shown connected to network 840. Server 810 maybe selected from a variety of conventionally available servers. The typeof server used is generally determined by the platform and softwarerequirements of the gaming system. Examples of suitable servers are anIBM RS6000-based server, an IBM AS/400-based server or a MicrosoftWindows-based server, but it should be appreciated that any suitableserver may be used. It may also be appreciated that server 810 may beconfigured as a single “logical” server that comprises multiple physicalservers. Gaming machines 850 operate similar to conventional peripheralnetworked terminals. Gaming machines 850 have a player interface such asa display, a card reader, and selection buttons through which gamingmachines 850 interact with a player playing a selectable bonus wageringgame. The player interface is used for making choices such as the amountof a bet or the number of lines to bet. Gaming machines 850 also provideinformation to server 810 concerning activity on gaming machines 850 andprovide a communication portal for players with server 810. For example,the player interface may be used for selecting different server-relatedmenu options such as, but not limited to, transferring a specifiednumber of credits from a player account onto the credit meter of thegaming machine, or for transferring credits from the gaming machine to acentral player account.

In various embodiments, any of the gaming machines 850 may be amechanical reel spinning slot machine, video slot machine, video pokermachine, keno machine, video blackjack machine, or a gaming machineoffering one or more of the above described base games offering aselectable bonus game. Networking components (not shown) facilitatecommunications across network 840 between the system server 810 and gamemanagement units 820 and/or gaming display control computers 830 thatcontrol displays for carousels of gaming machines. Game management units(GMU's) 820 connect gaming machines to networking components and may beinstalled in the gaming machine cabinet or external to the gamingmachine. The function of the GMU is similar to the function of a networkinterface card connected to a desktop personal computer (PC). Some GMU'shave much greater capability and can perform such tasks as presentingand playing a selectable bonus game using a display 825 operativelyconnected to the GMU 820. Displays related to selectable bonus gamesbeing played on gaming machines 850 or GMU displays 825 may also bepresented on gaming display 835 by gaming display control computer 830.In one embodiment, the GMU 820 is a separate component located outsidethe gaming machine. Alternatively, in another embodiment, the GMU 820 islocated within the gaming machine. Optionally, in an alternativeembodiment, one or more gaming machines 850 connect directly to thenetwork and are not connected to a GMU 820. A gaming system of the typedescribed above also allows a plurality of selectable bonus games inaccordance with the various embodiments of the invention to be linkedunder the control of server 810 for cooperative or competitive play in aparticular area, carousel, casino or between casinos located ingeographically separate areas.

One will appreciate that a gaming system may also comprise other typesof components, and the above illustrations are meant only as examplesand not as limitations to the types of components or games having aselectable bonus element in a gaming system. Additionally, it mayfurther be appreciated that each of the games could be operated on aremote host computer such that a player initiates play with the hostcomputer over a network via the player interface and gaming machine 850operates the respective gaming and video displays in conjunction withthe game whose play is controlled by the remote computer.

Although the description above contains much specificity, it should notbe construed as limiting the scope of the invention but as merelyproviding an illustration of the presently preferred embodiment of theinvention. The various embodiments disclosed herein are directed to asystem and method for providing a selectable bonus game in a gamingdevice. Embodiments of the system, method and gaming device areillustrated and described herein by way of example only and not by wayof limitation. Those skilled in the art will readily recognize variousmodifications and changes may be made to the invention without departingfrom the true spirit and scope of the claimed invention as set forthbelow.

1. A networked gaming system including a plurality of gaming machinesconnected through a network to a host computer, at least one of thegaming machines including a game comprising: an interface activatable bya player; at least one of a set of possible outcomes determined afteractivation of the interface by the player, the set of possible outcomesincluding a winning subset of outcomes; a set of possible options,including a subset of options selectable by the player upon a triggeringevent; a selected option selected by the player from the subset ofoptions; and a bonus game operated in accordance with the selectedoption.
 2. The system of claim 1 wherein the triggering event is basedon the determined outcome being a member of the winning subset ofoutcomes.
 3. The system of claim 1 wherein the triggering event is notbased on the determined outcome being a member of the winning subset ofoutcomes.
 4. The system of claim 1 wherein the triggering event is basedon the number of games played.
 5. The system of claim 1 wherein eachoption in the set of possible options is contained in the subset ofselectable options.
 6. The system of claim 1 wherein each option in theset of possible options is not contained in the subset of selectableoptions.
 7. The system of claim 6 wherein each option in the set ofpossible options has an equal probability of being contained in thesubset of selectable options.
 8. The system of claim 6 wherein eachoption in the set of possible options does not have an equal probabilityof being contained in the subset of selectable options.
 9. The system ofclaim 1 further including an average expected value for each option inthe set of possible options, the average expected values all beingequal.
 10. The system of claim 1 further including an average expectedvalue for each option in the set of possible options, the averageexpected values not all being equal.
 11. A method of operating anetworked gaming system, the method including the steps of: connecting aplurality of games; for one of the plurality of games, selecting one ofa set of possible outcomes, the set of possible outcomes including awinning subset of outcomes; upon a triggering event, presenting aplurality of options to a player of the one game; accepting an optionchosen by the player from the plurality of options; and operating abonus game in accordance with the accepted option.
 12. The method ofclaim 11, wherein the triggering event is based on the selected outcomebeing a member of the winning subset of outcomes.
 13. The method ofclaim 11, wherein the triggering event is not based on the selectedoutcome being a member of the winning subset of outcomes.
 14. The methodof claim 11, wherein the triggering event is based on the number ofgames played.
 15. The method of claim 11 wherein the average expectedvalue for each option in the plurality of options is equal.
 16. Themethod of claim 11 wherein the average expected value for each option inthe plurality of options is not equal.
 17. The method of claim 11,further including the step of selecting the plurality of options from aset of possible options.
 18. The method of claim 17, wherein each optionin the set of possible options is included in the plurality of optionspresented to the player.
 19. The method of claim 17, wherein each optionin the set of possible options is not included in the plurality ofoptions presented to the player.
 20. The method of claim 17, whereineach option in the set of possible options has an equal probability ofbeing included in the plurality of options presented to the player. 21.The method of claim 17, wherein each option in the set of possibleoptions does not have an equal probability of being included in theplurality of options presented to the player.